energy department released the report on wednesday. it says the export of shale gas and other natural gas products would raise energy prices, but it would help the economy overall. the government is now ready to examine whether to give the go-ahead to export projects. a number of energy firms hope to export natural gas as the surge in shale gas output pushes domestic gas prices sharply lower. now, the export plans include business with japan's electric and gas utilities, japanese energy firms have had to increase their use of thermal power plants since the nuclear accident, and they are pretty keen now to buy cheaper u.s. gas. >>> let's get a check of the markets now, starting in europe, where stocks are trading higher. this is on fresh hopes that u.s. politicians will be able to clinch a deal to avoid that fiscal cliff. london's ftse 100 is up right now by 0.2%. we see the frankfurt market moving ahead, up about a percent. paris's cac 40 seeing gains of 0.3%. earlier in asian trading, share prices were largely mixed. there was some pr